9MM ammo for bears defense?

[bsnedeker]

Don't worry, I'm sure you'll have 100% agreement on this one...lol!

I carry a nine in grizz country and I feel fine about it. In my opinion, if you are comfortable with it then it's good for you.

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Almost a year and a half and this thread is still going! To funny!

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[Trial153]

You would have thought the tread would have died out since all the 9mm carriers would have been eaten by bears by this time.

 

[LookinforDirt]

You would have thought the tread would have died out since all the 9mm carriers would have been eaten by bears by this time.

I have a draw full of 9mm's removed from bone piles found when doing my spring scouting.
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j/king!

 

[Gen273]

Phil Shoemaker’s bullet of choice in the 9mm:
Buffalobore.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=388
His story is on the bottom of that page.

This is what gets my vote, Phil proved that this round works. However, I hope you never have to prove it yourself.

 

[Beendare]

I bet if you looked at the penetration difference between a 9mm Buffalo Bore and the same 10mm round, it would be marginal. If anyone has any empirical tests, I would love to see them. ...

Yeah, I haven't packed a pistol for many years either....I still don't on many hunts...my bow is a pretty formidable weapon on its own.

I've seen some impressive penetration tests with 9mm hard cast. And the heavy hardcast looks to outpenetrate the fancy but lighter penetrating ammo.

The problem with actual field stats is...I believe....we are only seeing a % of successful cases. I think the vast majority of guys defending themselves against bears with a pistol just don't report it...or it doesn't make the reports. An example; I was in MT hunting above YNP a couple years ago and a pose rode through and kicked up out of the area we were in because a bowhunter in the canyon over from us shot a bear coming out on the trail at dark. So they had a wounded bear running around...or so they thought.

My calls to the F&G and anyone else I could think of...nothing, nada. No info. Shocking as they had a bunch of F&G folks there. A successful bowhunter defense against a bear- never made any official records.

I know of other cases where friends have defended themselves and due to the very harsh reporting standard didn't report it [shame on them...or not?]

Point is; we will ALWAYS hear about the deaths of a hunter killed by a bear...but WE DON"T always hear about the successful defense by pistol....worth considering IMHO when analyzing the stats.

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[Gen273]

Here is what I went with. Shot a couple of grouse with them so far.... lots of penetration. Haha!

Ryan,

How well does the P365 handle the hot BB loads?


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[Ryan Avery]

I have ran 40ish BB through it with no issues so far. I have about 1000 total round so far no issues.

 

[Gen273]

I have ran 40ish BB through it with no issues so far. I have about 1000 total round so far no issues.

I have a p365 as a daily carry, and I have been thinking about using it as a woods carry because it's so small and light. Thanks for the info!

 

[Ryan Avery]

I have a p365 as a daily carry, and I have been thinking about using it as a woods carry because it's so small and light. Thanks for the info!

That's the very reason I bought it. I have a G29 and G19 that I quit carrying. I don't feel like the P365 is a boat anchor, so I always carry it, which is the whole point of an EDC or backcountry pistol.

 

[slim9300]

Yeah, I haven't packed a pistol for many years either....I still don't on many hunts...my bow is a pretty formidable weapon on its own.

I've seen some impressive penetration tests with 9mm hard cast. And the heavy hardcast looks to outpenetrate the fancy but lighter penetrating ammo.

The problem with actual field stats is...I believe....we are only seeing a % of successful cases. I think the vast majority of guys defending themselves against bears with a pistol just don't report it...or it doesn't make the reports. An example; I was in MT hunting above YNP a couple years ago and a pose rode through and kicked up out of the area we were in because a bowhunter in the canyon over from us shot a bear coming out on the trail at dark. So they had a wounded bear running around...or so they thought.

My calls to the F&G and anyone else I could think of...nothing, nada. No info. Shocking as they had a bunch of F&G folks there. A successful bowhunter defense against a bear- never made any official records.

I know of other cases where friends have defended themselves and due to the very harsh reporting standard didn't report it [shame on them...or not?]

Point is; we will ALWAYS hear about the deaths of a hunter killed by a bear...but WE DON"T always hear about the successful defense by pistol....worth considering IMHO when analyzing the stats.

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I am sure this is very true. I could easily fall into the category you mentioned depending on the conditions.


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[Sourdough]

There have been many close bear encounters when I would have been ecstatic to have had even a stick, especially the time when that big Alaska Coastal Brown Bear was on top of me. So I could have often appreciated a 9mm handgun. Even a .22 Rim-fire, would have been useful. Even a fairly stout stick.

 

[Bunkin]

Does any one have a recommendation for a hard cast bullet that I can buy loose and reload? Also safe for a Glock (isn't there bullets that the glock barrels don't like??)

 

[mtnkid85]

Does any one have a recommendation for a hard cast bullet that I can buy loose and reload? Also safe for a Glock (isn't there bullets that the glock barrels don't like??)

9mm TC 148 gr. " The Outdoorsman" per 400

In-Stock 9mm TC 148 gr. per 400 (sized .356) OAL 0.642, Meplat 0.212, No crimp groove

rimrockbullets.com

These are the bullets used by BB. Ive loaded and shot a few of them.

 

[Bunkin]

9mm TC 148 gr. " The Outdoorsman" per 400

In-Stock 9mm TC 148 gr. per 400 (sized .356) OAL 0.642, Meplat 0.212, No crimp groove

rimrockbullets.com

These are the bullets used by BB. Ive loaded and shot a few of them.

Thank you!

 

[menhaden_man]

You all got me, made the plunge on two boxes today at about $60. Maybe this thread will come back to life for another 7 pages on how the 357 ain’t no good ?

 

[Beendare]

Does any one have a recommendation for a hard cast bullet that I can buy loose and reload? Also safe for a Glock (isn't there bullets that the glock barrels don't like??)

I don't know of any.
You still want to run a bunch of whatever you choose through your pistol as a function check. These are mass produced handguns....even Glocks have some feed ramp issues I've heard of. Yep, its big $$$ in ammo but your life is worth it eh? - grin

I shoot the Buffalo Bore stuff in my 9, and Underwood 200gr in my 10- both stock pistols. Both function perfectly.

IME, You have to run a lot of hard cast in these to show the first signs of leading; 300 rds plus....so if you clean it regularly- its no big deal. Hard cast bullets have a lot higher Brinnell rating than a soft lead bullet.

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[Chris.swiss.00]

I’ve heard 9mm has killed more bears than any handgun caliber.

 

[Wrench]

Ryan, I shot a big black bear at 10 feet with a 10mm 200xtp and measured 16+" of penetration. I entered the front of the skull, exited the rear and entered the top of the neck / loins to its stopping point.

I get that 10 isn't 9 and xtp isn't solid, but penetration should be close enough for argument sake.

I would be more concerned about getting rounds on target than what the headstamp says. After my bear encounter, I actually backed off the 10mm because the recoil blast and noise can affect how well i shoot under stress.

Just shoot and make good hits till you are sure you have enough in it to win.....and if you started with chest shots, consider leaving one or two in the mag to shoot it in the head if you can.

I'd not lose any sleep over it!

 

[Billy Goat]

Does any one have a recommendation for a hard cast bullet that I can buy loose and reload? Also safe for a Glock (isn't there bullets that the glock barrels don't like??)

Not a hard cast but Lehigh penetrator (similar to a hardcast in penetration) can be bought and loaded, that's what I do for the 10mm.

 

[Billy Goat]

You all got me, made the plunge on two boxes today at about $60. Maybe this thread will come back to life for another 7 pages on how the 357 ain’t no good ?

View attachment 178493

I have always wondered why something like the .357 sig hasn't become more popular. With the modern 9mm bullets it seems it would make sense to use it more, possibly over a 10mm. It won't have the energy but if we agree it's coming down to penetration I'd think the 357's would have some advantages, especially in the muzzle blast and recoil department.